Trans-Siberian Railway Travel Tour | National Geographic Expeditions National Geographic Expeditions Terms & Conditions Find the Right Trip for You Select your travel style--whether it's our signature expeditions, our active outdoors adventures, or our lower-priced journeys. Or choose how you want to travel: by train or small ship, on an expedition geared for photographers or for families, and more. 16 Days | Round-trip Vladivostok to Moscow Group Size: Max 40 ﻿﻿ ﻿ Set out on an epic train journey across one-third of the world, traveling from Vladivostok to the heart of Moscow along the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway. From the Mongolian steppe to Lake Baikal’s remote shores to the snow-capped Ural Mountains, trace the history of tsars, exiles, and Mongols in the comfort of our luxury train, the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express. Encounter remote cultures and the unique architecture of Siberia’s wooden cottages and Moscow’s onion domes. Trip Highlights Discover the evocative choral music and unique culture of Buryat’s Old Believers. Trace the shores of Lake Baikal, and stop for tea in a family home.

Attend musical performances, including a concert at the Decembrist House Museum in Irkutsk. In Moscow, take an in-depth tour of the Kremlin, and meet a Russian cosmonaut. Itinerary - 16 Days Days 1 & 2 — Vladivostok, Russia Arrive in Vladivostok and meet fellow travelers at a welcome dinner. On a city tour, see the Pacific Navy War Memorial and the Vladivostok Fortress, and take in skyline views from the Eagle’s Nest observation platform. Board our luxury train and set off on our rail journey across Russia. Hotel Hyundai; Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Espress (D; B,L,D) Days 3, 4, & 5 — Khabarovsk/On Train/ Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Explore Khabarovsk and visit its Natural History Museum to learn about the region’s ecology and indigenous tribes. Enjoy two days on board as we glide across Siberia to the Mongolian steppe. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and visit the National Museum. Then head to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park for a horseback-riding demonstration and a visit to a traditional ger (tent) camp.

Enjoy a Mongolian throat-singing performance. (B,L,D DAILY) Days 7 & 8 — Ulan Ude, Russia/Lake Baikal Stop in Ulan Ude to watch a choral performance given by the Old Believers, a group descended from 17th-century religious exiles. Trace the shores of beautiful Lake Baikal on a route that passes through 33 tunnels. Stop to enjoy lunch on shore before joining a family for tea in the village of Listvyanka. (B,L,D DAILY) Days 9, 10, & 11 — Irkutsk/On Train/Novosibirsk Visit Irkutsk’s historic sights, and wander through a collection of Russian and Siberian cottages at the Museum of Wooden Architecture. Hear a bell-ringing performance, then enjoy a private concert at the Decembrist House Museum. After a day relaxing on board, stop in Novosibirsk to see the opera house and Lenin Square. (B,L,D DAILY) Day 10 — Irkutsk Spend today in Irkutsk, an important Siberian outpost established by the Cossacks in 1652.

In the early 19th century, many Russian artists, officers, and nobles were exiled here for their involvement in the Decembrist revolt. Visit the city’s historic sights, and wander through a delightful collection of classic Russian and Siberian cottages at the Museum of Wooden Architecture. Stop for a private bell-ringing performance atop a bell tower, and then enjoy a private concert and champagne reception at the Decembrist House Museum. Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express (B,L,D) Days 11 & 12 — On Train/Novosibirsk Enjoy a day to relax on board, taking in stunning scenery as the vast Siberian taiga unfurls. The following day, stop in Novosibirsk, Siberia’s largest city, to see the opera house and Lenin Square. (B,L,D DAILY) Days 12 & 13 — Yekaterinburg/Kazan Arrive in Yekaterinburg and visit the site of the infamous Romanov execution. The next day, explore Kazan, touring the city’s Kremlin, the Qol Sharif Mosque, and the Peter and Paul Cathedral.

Visit the Kazan Conservatory, and enjoy a student concert before a private cruise around the walls of the city’s Kremlin. (B,L,D DAILY) Days 14 & 15 — Moscow Disembark in Moscow for a city tour and a guided nighttime stroll through Red Square. Explore the legendary Kremlin, and visit St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Armory Museum, and the Conquerors of Space monument. Delve into the history of space exploration at the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics, and hear a talk from a Russian cosmonaut. Moscow Marriott Royal Aurora (B,L,D DAILY) Day 16 — Moscow Learn About Russia's Trans-Siberian Railway By Katherine Schulz Richard The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway in the world, and crosses nearly all of Russia , the world’s largest country by area . At approximately 9200 kilometers, or 5700 miles, the train leaves Moscow , located in European Russia, crosses into Asia, and reaches the Pacific Ocean port of Vladivostok. The journey can also be completed from east to west. The Trans-Siberian Railway crosses seven time zones through land that can become bitterly cold in the winter.

The railway initiated increased development of Siberia, although the vast expanse of land still is sparsely populated. People from around the world ride through Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway. The Trans-Siberian Railway facilitates the transport of goods and natural resources like grain, coal, oil, and wood, from Russia and eastern Asia to European countries, greatly influencing the world economy. History of the Trans-Siberian Railway In the 19th century, Russia believed that the development of Siberia was crucial to Russian military and economic interests. continue reading below our video Test Your General Science Knowledge Construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway began in 1891, during the reign of Czar Alexander III. Soldiers and prisoners were the primary workers, and they worked from both ends of Russia toward the center. The original route passed through Manchuria, China, but the current route, entirely through Russia, completed construction in 1916, during the reign of Czar Nicholas II. The railway opened up Siberia for further economic development, and many people moved to the region and founded several new cities. Industrialization thrived, though this often polluted Siberia’s pristine landscape.

The railway enabled people and supplies to move around Russia during the two world wars. Many technological improvements were made to the line over the last several decades. Destinations on the Trans-Siberian Railway Nonstop travel from Moscow to Vladivostok takes about eight days. However, travelers can exit the train in several destinations to explore some of the most important geographic features in Russia, like cities, mountain ranges, forests, and waterways. From west to east, the main stops on the railway are: 1. Moscow is the capital of Russia and is the western terminus point for the Trans-Siberian Railway. 2.Nizhny Novgorod is an industrial city located on the Volga River , the longest river in Russia. 3. Travelers on the Trans-Siberian Railway then pass through the Ural Mountains, commonly known as the border between Europe and Asia. Yekaterinburg is a major city in the Ural Mountains. (Czar Nicholas II and his family were transported to Yekaterinburg in 1918 and executed.) 4. After crossing the Irtysh River and traveling several hundred miles, travelers reach Novosibirsk, the largest city in Siberia.

Located on the Ob River, Novosibirsk is home to about 1.4 million people, and is the third largest city in Russia, after Moscow and St. Petersburg. 5. Krasnoyarsk is located on the Yenisey River. 6. Irkutsk is located very close to the beautiful Lake Baikal , the largest and deepest freshwater lake in the world. 7. The region around Ulan-Ude, home to the Buryat ethnic group, is the center of Buddhism in Russia. The Buryats are related to the Mongolians. 8. Khabarovsk is located on the Amur River. 9. Ussuriysk provides trains into North Korea . 10. Vladivostok, the eastern terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway, is the largest Russian port on the Pacific Ocean. Vladivostok was founded in 1860. It is home to the Russian Pacific Fleet and has a superb natural harbor. Ferries to Japan and South Korea are based there. The Trans-Manchurian and Trans-Mongolian Railways Travelers on the Trans-Siberian Railway can also travel from Moscow to Beijing, China .

A few hundred miles east of Lake Baikal, the Trans-Manchurian Railway branches off from the Trans-Siberian Railway and travels across Manchuria, the region in Northeast China, through the city of Harbin. It soon reaches Beijing. The Trans-Mongolian Railway begins in Ulan-Ude, Russia. The train travels through the capital of Mongolia , Ulaanbaatar, and the Gobi Desert. It enters China and terminates in Beijing. The Baikal-Amur Mainline Since the Trans-Siberian Railway travels through southern Siberia, a rail line to the Pacific Ocean that crossed central Siberia was needed. After many decades of intermittent construction, the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) opened in 1991. BAM begins in Taishet, west of Lake Baikal. The line runs to the north of and parallel to the Trans-Siberian. The BAM crosses the Angara, Lena, and Amur Rivers, through large sections of permafrost.

After stopping in the cities of Bratsk and Tynda, the BAM reaches the Pacific Ocean, at about the same latitude as the center of the Russian island of Sakhalin, located north of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. BAM carries oil, coal, timber, and other products. BAM is known as the “construction project of the century,” due to the enormous cost and difficult engineering that was required to build a railway in an isolated region. Beneficial Transportation of the Trans-Siberian Railway The Trans-Siberian Railway transports people and freight across immense, scenic Russia. The adventure can even continue into Mongolia and China. The Trans-Siberian Railway has benefited Russia immensely in the last one hundred years, facilitating the transport of Russia’s plethora of resources to distant corners of the globe. Vladivostok | City tours | Trans-siberian travel with TransSib.com City tours city tours » Vladivostok The distance from Moscow to Vladivostok is 9288 km! Welcome in the capital of the Primorsky Territory Vladivostok one of the most picturesque and interesting cities in the Russian Far East.

Vladivostok was founded in 1860 with mission to defend the south-eastern border of Russia. During the Soviet time the city of Vladivostok, was the home base of the Pacific Russian military fleet and was a forbidden city to foreigners, free access was given to tourists and visitors only in 1992. The construction of the Trans-Siberian Railroad that began in 1891 served as a jump-start for the rapid growth of the city. We invites you to explore this city with dramatic past and great future, as end or start point of your individual trans-siberian trip. Enjoy the bay view from a boat or the top of one of the hills on which the city lies, walk the streets with ocean breeze, check out the historic sightseeing and capture the refreshing spirit of the natural surroundings.

Vladivostok city tour with 2 museums Duration: 3 hours Included: transport & guide services, entrance fee to 2 museums City tour of Vladivostok covering all the main attractions of the city: Vladivostok Railway Station – terminus of the Trans-Siberian railroad, S-56 submarine on the harbor embankment, where the city was first-founded 142 years ago. You will also visit the highly regarded Arseniev Museum to view exhibits of the region’s rich treasure of flora and fauna as well as the culture and history of the Vladivostok area. In addition to the stops the tour will pass many historic, cultural and architectural landmarks that make up the flavor of Vladivostok. Package price per person Services included: transportation, guide’s assistance, entrance fee Dacha-tour around Vladivostok Duration: 3 hours Included: transport & guide services, lunch The visit to a “dacha” will offer an interesting insight into this aspect of Russian life.

Originally developed in the Soviet period as a means to increase local food production, “dachas” are weekend cottages or summer cabins on small plots of land, which supply garden – grown vegetables and escape from the frenzy of life in a big city. Our dacha tour will pass through Vladivostok’s suburbs to a typical dacha community. A typical dacha lunch in the company of the hosts is also included. Package price per person Services included: transportation, guide’s assistance, entrance fee Russky Island Tour, excursion of Voroshilovskaya Battery Duration: 1 day (from 9:00 am till 2:00 pm) Included: transport & guide services, boat hire, entrance fee to museums, lunch This tour will take you to Russky Island, which used to be a top-secret military base that served as a shield for the naval port in Vladivostok for years. Only in 1995, after losing most of its defence significance it became open for civilian visitors. Now the island has a growing popularity as a summer beach resort. You will visit the Voroshilovskaya Battery situated on the territory of an actual military base.

You cannot help but admire this outstanding structure erected over 80 years ago, its complex mechanisms, rational organization and efficient functioning. After this excursion you will have a picnic lunch enjoying the scenic sea views. Package price per person Services included: transportation, guide’s assistance, entrance fee and lunch. Ussuriisk Nature Reserve tour Duration: 10 hours Included: transportation, guide services & lunch This full day tour is a great chance to see unique animals and plant species 90 km north of Vladivostok, walk along the ecological trail, have lunch and see nature museum and solar research center or visit research center of Far East Academy of Sience. The Ussuriiskiy State Reserve, establish in 1935, has 1100 species of plants, including 20 rare species: the Japanese yew, aralia, eleutherococcus, Schizandra Chinensis (limonnik), the Amur phellodendron (velvet tree) among them.

63 species of terrestrial mammals, including the wild boar, the Manchurian deer, Nemorhaedus goral, and the Sika deer and “the Pearl of the Reserve” – the Amur Tiger – are found there. Package price per person Services included: transportation, guide’s assistance, entrance fee and lunch. Military highlights of Vladivostok Included: transport & guide services, entrance fees to 3 museums An introduction to the military history of Vladivostok, this tour will take you back to the years when the Fortress of Vladivostok was guarding the city with all its guns. You will visit two of the old batteries (built at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries) and the WWII submarine S-56, which now serve as museums. The modern Pacific Navy warships stationed in the heart of Vladivostok will add to the military portrait of the present-day city. Package price per person Services included: transportation, guide’s assistance, entrance fee. Safari Park with Siberian Amur Tiger watching Duration: 6 hrs Included: transport & guide services, entrance fees and lunch Safari Park is situated 60 km fare from Vladivostok city.

This Animal Park was found as a Park for injured or ill wild animals to keep them safe. Animals are leaving in close to wild nature conditions and visitors will see them like they are living in wild life. The forest area of the Park is 40 000 square meters. Visitors can find here over 30 kinds of birds, predators and plant-eating animals. You can see Siberian Stag, Dappled deer, Roe deer, Wild boar, Black bear, brown bear, wolf, fox and other wild animals. Visitors may not only see wild animals but also make photos with them, feed them and even touch some kind. Package price per person Transfer from Airport/train station to hotel Accommodation in the choosen Hotel (dble with B/B) Guided city tour by foot (ca. 4h) Places of interest in Vladivostok city Vladivostok Train Station The Vladivostok Train Station is built in Russian architectural style of the 17th century, modeled after the Yaroslavsky Railway Station in Moscow (the beginning of the Trans-Siberian Railroad – the world’s longest railway).

You will see the last milestone of the Trans-Siberian Railroad with the inscription on it: “Here is the terminus of the Great Trans-Siberian Railroad. Distance to Moscow is 9288 km.” This is where the railroad ends, and those willing to continue their travel can take a boat from the marine terminal just across the tracks from its railroad counterpart. Vladivostok Central Square The main square of the city, site of public holiday celebrations. See Primorye Administration and the Krai Duma buildings as well as the monument to the Fighters for the Soviet Power in the Russian Far East, which has been the main monument of Vladivostok over the years of Soviet regime (you could see it on all Vladivostok postcards printed then). Apart from a monument to Soviet war heroes, the square is the site of public holidays celebration. Triumphal Arch The Arch was built in 1891 in honor of the cesarevich Nikolai, future last czar of the Russian Empire. In about 1930 the arch was demolished like many other monuments having any connection to the czarist regime.

And only in 2003, the year of Nicholas’s 135th anniversary, the arch was restored to take its place among the most beautiful city attractions. Korabelnaya Naberezhnaya (“Naval Embankment”) The memorial complex at Korabelnaya Naberezhnaya commemorates the naval glory of Vladivostok. You will see a concrete bowsprit symbolizing Manchur, the first Russian boat to visit Golden HornBay (the ship allegedly anchored in this very place). There is also the Krasny Vympel, a tiny naval schooner which held high proudly the Russian flag in the early 1920s; the WWII Submarine C-56, which is open for visitors and the Eternal Flame. Hundreds of names of Vladivostok KIA seamen are inscribed on black marble slabs near the memorial fire. Embankment at Sportivnaya Harbor Strolling down the new pedestrian street totally remodeled in 2003 (called by locals “Arbat” after the famous street in Moscow) you will get to the waterfront at the foot of Tiger Hill.

It attracts visitors and Vladivostok residents with the view of the Amursky Bay, a Dolphinarium and an Oceanarium featuring a varied collection of denizens of the deep in its great aquariums. The adjoining building, which also faces the waterfront, contains a set of gymnasiums, swimming pools and basketball and volleyball courts. The townspeople come here in the evenings and at weekends to walk along the sea, meet with friends or get some rest in one of the cafes. The round building of Ocean Cinema sits in the middle of the Tiger Hill, while the hill itself is nearly smothered in hotels overlooking the Amursky Bay. Vladivostok Fortress Museum The museum of unique Vladivostok’s underground marine fortress, constructed at the end of the 19th- the beginning of 20th centuries. Vladivostok Fortress had been built for 40 years and was one of the best and largest fortresses in the world. The museum is located in Bezymyannaya Battery – one of fortress’s batteries, built in 1872. Operating hours: from 10:00am to 6:00pm.

Primorye Picture Gallery Opened in 1966. Over 5,000 exhibits. Paintings by Russian artists from the 18th-20th centuries: K. Bryullov, I. Shishkin, I. Repin, I. Aivazovsky, I. Levitan, M. Shagal. Ancient Russian icons. Artists of Primorye. Applied Art. Book store. Operating hours: from 10:00am to 1:00pm, from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, closed on Mondays Museum of military history of Pacific Fleet It was opened in 1950. Nowadays it is located in one of the historical buildings of Vladivostok city – in the buildings for officers, that was built in the end of the 19th century. The expositions exhibited here contain the information about the history of Pacific Fleet, since the development of Far East until today. Here are exhibited different kinds of guns and military machines. Open hours: since 10 to 18 every day, except Monday, Tuesday and the last Friday of the month.

Memorial Ship “Red Pennant” It was made in 1911 in Finland. Until 1922 it had been used by Kamchatka Fleet, but since 1922 it became a guard ship of Vladivostok city and got the name “Red Pennant”. It protected the territorial waters of Far East, participated in the battles during the World War II. Nowadays it exhibits the expositions of its own military history. Open hours: since 10 to 18. Vladivostok Museum of Archeology and Ethnography It was opened in 1979. The main subjects of the museum activities – collecting, researching and exhibiting of archeological findings of different eras that were found on the territory of Far East. Here are also gathered ethnographic collections of native people of Far east and traditional household items. Nowadays exhibitions of the museum attract exceptional interest of scientists from Asia-Pacific region, Europe and America. Open hours: every day since 10 to 18 except Saturday and Sunday Vladivostok Aquarium (Oceanarium) Opened in July 1991.

Live exposition of 86 species and over 1,800 kinds of marine life in aquariums, representing a variety of inhabitants of Peter the Great Gulf and other water reservoirs of Primorye. Operating hours: from 10:00am to 5:00pm, closed in Mondays. Memorial Submarine S-56 Museum Operating hours: from 10:00am to 6:00pm, closed in Mondays. Famous Pacific Fleet submarine that sank 10 fascist ships during World War II. Russia / Exploring Siberia / The Trans-Siberian Railway For those who travel for the pleasure of the journey, those who believe that getting there is as much fun as being there, Russia's Trans-Siberian Railway has long been an almost mythic experience. It is the longest continuous rail line on earth, each run clattering along in an epic journey of almost six thousand miles (or about ten thousand kilometers) over one third of the globe. For most of its history, the Trans-Siberian journey has been an experience of almost continuous movement, seven days or more of unabated train travel through the vast expanse of Russia.

A great part of the pleasure of such a trip is simply sitting back and watching the land go by. However, most travelers on the Trans-Siberian find that interaction with other passengers, both Russians and tourists, is what makes the trip an unforgettable experience. Today, with far fewer travel restrictions, it is possible to use the rail journey as the core of a more varied tour. Travelers can enjoy stopovers in many of the Russian cities and towns along the route, from the historic Volga port of Yaroslavl to Irkutsk and the scenic Lake Baikal region. Routes and Western Extensions Travel along the Trans-Siberian Railway is usually undertaken from west to east, though it is quite possible to go in the opposite direction. Moreover, a number of choices of route are available, as are extensions of the journey on either end. The usual route taken by travellers is the Trans-Siberian line, which runs from Moscow to Vladivostok, passing through Yaroslavl on the Volga, Exaterinburg in the Urals, Irkutsk near Lake Baikal's southern extremity, and then Khabarovsk.

From Vladivostok it is possible to continue by ferry to Niigata on the west coast of Japan. A second primary route is the Trans-Manchurian line, which coincides with the Trans-Siberian as far as Tarskaya, a few hundred miles east of Baikal. From Tarskaya the Trans-Manchurian heads southeast into China and makes its way down to Beijing. The third primary route is the Trans-Mongolian line, which coincides with the Trans-Siberian as far as the Buddhist enclave of Ulan Ude on Baikal's eastern shore. From Ulan-Ude the Trans- Mongolian heads south to Ulaan-Baatar before making its way southeast to Beijing. In 1984, a fourth route running further to the north was finally completed, after more than five decades of sporadic work. Known as the Baikal Amur Mainline, this recent extension departs from the Trans-Siberian line several hundred miles west of Lake Baikal and passes the lake at its northernmost extremity. It reaches the Pacific to the northeast of Khabarovsk, at Imperatorskaya Gavan.

While this route provides access to Baikal's stunning northern coast, it also passes through some pretty forbidding terrain. To the west, connections are available through Moscow to Berlin (and from there to Paris), to Budapest, and to St. Petersburg (and from there to Helsinki). History of the Railway Russia's longstanding desire for a Pacific port was realized with the foundation of Vladivostok in 1860. By 1880, Vladivostok had grown into a major port city, and the lack of adequate transportation links between European Russia and its Far Eastern provinces soon became an obvious problem. In 1891, Czar Alexander III drew up plans for the Trans-Siberian Railway and initiated its construction. Upon his death three years later, the work was continued by his son Nicholas. Despite the enormity of the project, a continuous route was completed in 1905, having been rushed to completion by the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War the year before. The present route of the line, including both the difficult stretch around Baikal and a northerly replacement for the dangerously situated Manchurian line, was opened in 1916.

Cities and Towns Along the Way The Trans-Siberian trains stop several times a day, for periods ranging from just a few moments to almost half an hour. Even the longest stops, however, allow for little more than a quick expedition from the station to make some necessary purchases. It is possible, however, to arrange a stopover in many of the major destinations along the route, and what follows is a brief listing of some of the most popular sites. Yaroslavl One of Russia's oldest cities, Yaroslavl was founded by Yaroslav the Wise of Kievan Rus' in 1010. Over the next several centuries the city prospered as a trading port on the Volga and a center of textile manufacture, becoming by the 17th century the second largest city in Russia behind Moscow. Its wealthy merchant community became notable patrons of the arts, building hundreds of churches. Fortunately, the great majority of these remain intact today, making the city one of the most beautiful destinations along the railway. Ekaterinburg The Trans-Siberian's first major stop in Asian Russia is the major industrial city and transport hub of Ekaterinburg.

The town was founded in 1721 by Catherine the Great as a fort and metallurgical factory, its position having been chosen for its strategic proximity to the great mining operations of the Urals and Siberia. Although there are few tourist sites here other than the 18th-century cathedral, the city is nonetheless of great historical interest. It was here, in a house that once stood on Liebknecht ulitsa, that Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed on the morning of July 17, 1918. Although the house no longer exists, its site is marked by a plain wooden cross. The Imperial family, like most tourists, was brought to Ekaterinburg on the Trans- Siberian. Ekaterinburg is also notable for being the hometown of Boris Yeltsin. Krasnoyarsk One of the older towns in Siberia, Krasnoyarsk was founded in 1628 as a trading post along the Yenisei River. It grew rapidly when gold was discovered in the region, and eventually became a major river port and industrial center.

Outside the ciy is the Stolby Reserve, an attractive preserve notable for the odd, columnar cliffs that rise from the river's edge inside its area. After one passes over the Yenesei, another of the Trans-Siberian's most significant border crossings takes place--one leaves the steppe and plunges into the taiga, the great forest that extends over most of Russia. The vast Siberian taiga is the largest remaining forest in the world. Irkutsk Irkutsk became a wealthy trading center soon after its founding in the 1660s, benefiting from its position along overland trade routes between China and Western Russia. Since then it has maintained its position as the regions most important city, though today its attraction for visitors is supplemented by its proximity to Lake Baikal. Trans Siberian Railway enthusiasts should try to make it for a visit in 1998, when the city has planned a celebration commemorating the inauguration of the rail line. Ulan Ude Like most Siberian cities, Ulan Ude was founded during the 17th century. However, as the center of the Buddhist Buryat culture, it is unlike any of the other stops along the Trans-Siberian railway.

Although the city's Buddhist tradition, like all other religions, suffered a sharp decline under Stalin, there has been a noticeable revival in recent years. Visitors to Ulan Ude today should not miss the opportunity to visit nearby Ivolginsk Datsan, a restored Tibetan Buddhist monastery which now serves as the center of Buddhism in Russia. Khabarovsk Strategically located on the hills overlooking the Amur River, Khabarovsk was founded as a military outpost in 1651, during the first wave of Russian colonization. The town gained importance during the nineteenth century as a trading outpost, and today it is one of the most important and promising cities of the Russian Far East. Khabarovsk is a pleasant city, with wide, tree-lined boulevards, a popular beach, and an interesting museum of ethnography and local history. Vladivostok Vladivostok was founded in 1860 as a military outpost, but its outstanding natural harbour soon brought it prosperity as a trading port. The city's nomination as the headquarters of the Russian Pacific fleet in the 1870s brought further growth, and by the twentieth century it had become a major center of international trade.

During the Soviet era, Vladivostok's military role eclipsed its trading function, and the city was closed both to foreigners and to Soviet citizens lacking special entry permission. The city was opened once again to visitors in 1992. It is currently experiencing a rapid recovery of its historic role as a major Pacific commercial port and has also maintained its naval importance as the headquarters of the Russian Pacific Fleet. Today Vladivostok is a a lively, attractive city, with a wealth of attractions and, as always, a strikingly impressive harbour.

Fully Escorted Tours | Trans Siberian/Mongolian Railway | Grand Trans Siberian Railway Grand Trans Siberian Railway Trans Siberian Express - 15 Days Trans Siberian Railway with China & Mongolia Mongolian Flyer Trans Siberian Express - 15 days Classic Trans Siberian The Trans Siberian Railway with Mongolia & China Great Rail Explorer Trans Siberian Railway with Mongolia and China Tamerlane's Empire Tsar's Gold - Trans Siberian by Private Train Tsar's Gold - Trans Siberian by Private Train Trans Mongolian Discovery Desert Forts, Palaces and Beaches Spiritual Himalaya Wild Mongolia and Golden Eagle Festival Gobi Desert Explorer Departing: Vladivostok, Russia - 24 days Countries visited: Russia & Mongolia The original and classic Great Rail Journey. From the Pacific Coast to the nation’s capital you cross the world's biggest country and largest landmass aboard the world's longest railway, spanning 7 time zones & almost 10,000 kilometres, from the Far East to Europe. From the once top-secret port of Vladivostok, through the spectacular scenery of eastern Siberia, to magnificent Lake Baikal and the historic Siberian town of Irkutsk.

Crossing massive bridges over huge rivers, through forests and across plains, aboard the train you experience Russia as few travellers ever can. Itinerary Days 1-2: Arrive Vladivostok Once a top-secret naval base of the Soviet Union, Vladivostok was sealed off from the outside world. Now its doors are open for business and the city is booming as Russia's gateway to the Far East. For 100 years this has been the legendary eastern terminus of the Trans Siberian Railway, its historic railway station recently restored to its former grandeur. Day 3: Vladivostok and depart to Ulan Ude Discover the city and port before climbing aboard the Trans Siberian Railway ready for an incredible journey. Days 4-5: Trans Siberian Railway We settle into life on board, getting to know our travelling companions. Relax in the comfortable four-berth compartment that is home for the three days and nights it takes to cross eastern Siberia to the Buryat city of Ulan Ude. Day 6: Arrive Ulan Ude Welcome to Buryatiya, centre of Russia’s Buddhist community.

Reminiscent of old Siberia, Ulan Ude is located in the middle of the vast Siberian steppes, on the 5640th kilometer of the Trans-Siberian railway. It is a very unusual and charming city. The local open air ethnographic museum tells an interesting story about the life and traditions of the native Siberians (Buryat and Evenks) as well as the colonisers (Cossacks and Old-believers). Day 7: On board the Trans Mongolian Railway Onwards we travel, enjoying the company of our fellow passengers and a picnic in our cabin. The train arrives at Naushki, the Russian border town where formalities are completed, and then continue across no-man's land to Sukhbaatar where Mongolian officials board the train before we journey on to Ulaanbaatar. Days 8-11: Ulaanbaatar and Mongolian Steppe After breakfast we visit the Zaisan Memorial from which the entire city is visible. Also to the country’s largest remaining monastery, Gandan Hiid where you can mingle with Buddhist monks.

In the afternoon we travel out across the grasslands through the countryside where we spend 2 nights in a traditional Mongolian nomad tent or ger set amongst spectacular rock formations and wild rolling hills in the breathtaking Terelj National Park. Among nomadic families and their grazing livestock we can explore nearby valleys or just relax and enjoy the area. We return to Ulaanbaatar and visit the National Museum before joining the train north to Siberia. Day 12: Aboard the Trans Mongolian Railway Continuing towards Russia, leaving Mongolia at Sukhe Bator and travelling beyond the Russian border town and then west along the southern shore of the world's deepest freshwater lake — Baikal. Days 13-15: Irkutsk and Lake Baikal (Siberia) Almost in the centre of Asia, Irkutsk — 18th century churches, bright painted shutters and log houses decorated with wooden lacework. Modern administrative blocks and soaring bridges reach out across the Angara River in this beautiful town known as the "Paris of Siberia". On our walking tour you will discover the city’s wonderful historic sights.

We also enjoy two nights at Lake Baikal and stay in the village of Listvyanka with its traditional houses and beautiful wooden church and nearby Limnological Museum. To gain an insight into the traditional lives of Siberian people we also visit the Museum of Wooden Architecture. We return to Irkutsk and board the train for an evening departure to Kazan. Days 16-17: Aboard the Trans Siberian Railway We join the Trans Siberian Railway and travel via Novosibirsk, Omsk and Ekaterinburg booming over the steel bridges spanning Siberia's nerve system of 5,000 rivers. Through the Ural Mountains and onto Kazan. Day 18: Afternoon arrival into Kazan Welcome to Kazan! The Capital of the Tatarstan Republic and the Muslim capital of Russia. Day 19: Kazan Spend the day exploring the fascinating city of Kazan and its UNESCO World Heritage Listed Kremlin, before we hop back on the train bound for Moscow. Days 20-21: Moscow We arrive into the capital at daybreak. Moscow will amaze you, its palaces and public buildings restored to their former glory.

The echoing vastness of Red Square, the splendid twirled cupolas of St. Basil's across the cobblestones, and the Kremlin itself — that fabled palace-fort of gilded domes where we marvel at the exquisite collection of royal treasures in the stunning Armoury Chamber. We ride the palatial underground rail system, adorned with chandeliers, mosaics and baroque bas-relief and perhaps a river cruise or a magical evening at one of Moscow's great theatres or State Circus. Day 22: Moscow to St. Petersburg Today we farewell Moscow and travel to the former capital of Imperial Russia. Home of the Tsars and one of the most beautiful cities in the world — St. Petersburg. Day 23: St. Petersburg It is the city on the water, the "Venice of the North", standing resplendent on the delta of the Neva River. St Isaac's Cathedral, richly filled palaces and museums, wide boulevards and canals.

The gilded halls of the Hermitage Museum hung with the works of Da Vinci, Rembrandt and many other great masters, and beyond the city lie the incomparable summer palaces of the tsars at Petrodvorets. Yet for all this, St. Petersburg remains one of Europe's best kept secrets. Day 24: Depart St. Petersburg The last day has arrived too soon. The adventure is complete, the legendary rail journey that started many days ago has taken you across Asia, through lands and cultures literally worlds apart. Trans-Siberian Railway Tours and Adventures | On The Go Tours | US On The Go Tours Trans-Siberian Trips Trans-Siberian All aboard for the world's most famous railway journey with our selection of Trans-Siberian tours from Moscow to Beijing and vice versa with the original route to Vladivostok on offer too.

Journeys that start in either Moscow or Beijing All rail travel, accommodation and transfers included Lots of optional activies available at stops en-route Trans-Siberian Travel Guide Start preparing for your cross-country adventure with our handy travel guide resources covering topics as varied as money and visas, to when to go and what to see with more details on what to expect of accommodation and rail travel. / Trans Siberian Railway Take the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Beijing The Trans-Siberian Railway reaches right across Asia, connecting Moscow with the Far East , cutting through the fascinating lands in between. Crossing a third of the globe, the Trans-Siberian Railway heads through the natural wonders of the Gobi Desert, the Ural Mountains and the grassy steppe of Mongolia. Available year-round, our adventures are inclusive of rail travel, budget accommodation and rail station transfers. Read More Our Trans-Siberian Railway journeys also offer a range of exciting optional activities , including dog sledding in Yekaterinburg, diving beneath the surface of Lake Baikal, staying in a traditional ger in Mongolia and plenty more.

If our featured itineraries do not exactly suit your requirements, we're also more than happy to tailor-make your Trans-Siberian Railway journey for you. This is the ultimate train journey.... all aboard! Trans-Siberian Journeys from Moscow 19 days | FROM USD $4,495 The original Trans-Siberian journey all the way to the end of the line... Travel from one red city to another by hopping on the Trans-Siberian Railway in Moscow and expressing it to Beijing, or opt for a longer journey with stops en route. Discover the sights of Yekaterinburg , Irkutsk and mighty Lake Baikal, Ulan Ude and Ulaan Baatar with one of our many optional activities, or explore each port of call your own way. Alternatively, take the original Trans-Siberian Railway journey from Moscow through to Vladivostok on our epic 19 day adventure.  18 days | FROM USD $5,215 The big ticket, an epic journey from Beijing to Moscow, offering at of...

Cross a third of the globe on board the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway, from one capital city to another, with one of our exciting adventures from Beijing to Moscow. Stop off and explore some fascinating towns and cities en route, from Ulaan Baatar and beautiful Terelj National Park, to Ulan Ude, Irkutsk – home to Lake Baikail, and Yekaterinburg. Or for those short on time, express rail it on the Trans-Siberian from Beijing to Moscow in just 9 days .  Show All Tours If you’d like to spend a bit more time exploring the sights of Mongolia and Russia on your Trans-Siberian Railway journey, why not take a look at one of our private tours which can be built into your trip for a special tailormade holiday. Whether you want to explore the Gobi Desert, witness the competitions at the colourful Naadam Festival, ride a Przewalski horse in the Mongolian countryside, visit the Pacifici Ring of Fire or hike around Lake Baikal, here are just some of the options available for your holiday of a lifetime.  Happy birthday Trans-Sib!

Celebrate 100 years of the Trans-Siberian Railway This year marks the 100th year anniversary of the Trans-Siberian Railway, one of the world's most iconic train journeys across the world's largest country and beyond. Whether you want to travel from the mighty capital of Moscow in the west to the port city of Vladivostok in the east, or through Mongolia and on to the historic capital of China, there's never been a better time to travel on the Trans-Siberian.  Recommended places to visit on the Trans-siberian Railway If you've got time to spare, consider breaking up your epic train journey with these must-see destinations from historic cities to stunning countryside for the best of culture and outdoor adventure. Countryside Bliss Lake Baikal Located in eastern Siberia, Lake Baikal is the world’s deepest lake. In the summer it is a fantastic place to trek and camp as well as a very unique place to scuba dive- it is relatively unexplored so perfect any budding Jacques Cousteaus! Come winter when the deep snow has settled, the is winter wonderland is perfect for dog sledding, skiing, ice fishing and snow mobiling!

Mongolia's Capital Ulaan Baatar Capital of Mongolia, Ulaan Bataar is a pulsating city of modern and traditional architecture. Located in the north of the country it is where most trips to Mongolia will start or end. With lots of monasteries and palaces to explore as well as modern bars and restaurants to enjoy – it is the perfect place to spend a few days whilst on your Trans-siberian adventure. Europe & Asia Yekaterinburg Located on the eastern side of the Middle Ural Mountains, Yekaterinburg is a colourful city with a somewhat tumultuous history. While a visit must be paid to Church on the Blood – where the family of Tsar Nicholas II was murdered, the city is also a centre for culture and arts with several fine museums and theatres. Yekaterinburg is also excellent for outdoor sports, like cross-country skiing in the winter months and trekking in the summer. For something truly unique, stand with your feet over the Europe/Asian border.

End of the line Vladivostock As the eastern terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway, if you are ending your journey here then you’ll want to head to the Sporivnaya Harbour for a stroll along the promenade – enjoy the fresh sea breeze and grab a bite to eat from a street food stall. The Central Square, is a good place to relax and people watch, plus you can also see a massive pair of memorial statues. For history buffs there are several interesting museums dotted round the city.  Tran-Siberian Railways: Our Travel Guide A once-in-a-lifetime adventure on the Trans-Siberian takes some planning and our travel guide resources are the perfect place to start. Travel Guide and Trip Tips for Vladivostok, Primorskiy Kray, Russia - Citymaps - Citymaps Where to Stay Primorskiy KrayVladivostok Vladivostok (Russian: Владивосто́к, vlah-dee-vah-STOHK) is a city in Russia. It serves as the eastern terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway and a major Pacific port. Some travellers arrive here at the end or the beginning of a trip on the Trans-Siberian.

But it has enough attractions and atmosphere to support a couple of days. The city held the APEC summit in September, 2012 and is under huge... Read More Must See Spots in Vladivostok Vladivostok City Guide, Russia | Trans-Manchurian, Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Siberian Railways Visas City Guide: Vladivostok, Russia Vladivostok is the eastern terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Russia's Pacific naval fleet is here, see Sportivnaya Harbor and Ploschad Bortsov Revolutsy. More information coming soon. A Lada Riva police car in Vladivostok, Russia The Trans-Siberian Railway - longest in the world - Google Earth Community The Trans-Siberian Railway - longest in the world Showing 1-33 of 33 messages Hill 5/29/05 4:18 PM The Trans-Siberian Railway post has now been edited to remove/change the old placemarks. Placemarks now indicate regular passenger run stations. The route itself has now been traced with a series of paths.

Leave the path on for easy viewing of the roadbed, or turn it off for a more realistic view. Drift at your own pace or run the cities as a tour. You can even highlight the path and run it as a driving directions type tour. Huge and unique, travel information, transportation, or something else. I'm not sure of where to post this first part of a continuing project, but I settled on transportation. Photo from The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railroad in the world. There is actually a lot more to it than what is in the attachment here, but if you were to ride it, this is the part you would use. More branches of it will be added as replies later. The idea here is to let you get an idea of the size and range of the railroad, and in the process get a good view of Russian geography. As the TSRR web page shows, you can see it from space. This post will give you a view from space, but also a more intimate view. Enjoy. The western terminus in Moscow The eastern terminus in Vladivostok, 9,289 km ( 5, 772mi) from Moscow.

Picture from the Handbook Edited: 12-21-05 for placemark location and to add paths. Major rivers crossed, loops, and tunnels are also indicated. Where spelling of place names differs from GE, I used the spelling from the handbook for my placemarks. _________________________

Question: What city is regarded as the eastern terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway?
Answer: VLADIVOSTOK